Bruno OKs Pot RX Bill

May 10, 2005

Bruno said the time had come 'to enact a medical marijuana law that allows the drug to be used in tightly controlled instances.'

Bruno, who described himself as 'a cancer survivor' because of his recent treatment for prostate cancer, said he was 'confident' an agreement on the measure would be reached with the Democrat-controlled Assembly.

Williams, who was diagnosed with MS in 1999 and has used marijuana to relieve his suffering, lobbied dozens of lawmakers on behalf of the proposed legislation.

'New York needs to act now to make marijuana legally available for medical use,' said Williams. 'Every day that we delay is another day of needless suffering for patients like me all across the state.'

The Senate legislation backed by Bruno would allow doctors to authorize patients to receive marijuana from hospitals, pharmacies, state and local health departments, and from specially approved not-for-profit organizations.

The Assembly has approved similar measures in the past, but differences over control and access to the marijuana remain to be negotiated.